It is not unusual to see successful women entrepreneurs give back to communities or places where they come from or live. While some may consider it as a tax write-off for giving or an effort to boost their PR campaign, you should understand that for those female entrepreneurs who give back it is more like an obligation. It is a blessing to have a lucrative business, but nothing can make you feel good, like giving back when you become a successful entrepreneur. Yes the money, hard work, sweat and tears count, but it is not as impacting as giving back.
As the daughter of a mother who is a community leader and an inspiration to not just me but to hundreds of people, the spirit of helping others is ingrained in my soul. ~Glenda Newell-Harris (Co-founder Newell & Spriggs Consulting LLC)
One example of an entrepreneur who is giving back is Sarah Kaler who started a company called SoulPowered.com. Through this endeavor she has been able to provide leadership development across the globe. For example in Africa she worked with the Africa Yoga Project to teach entrepreneurial, job and leadership skills to participants. It goes beyond learning how to become a yoga instructor, but also to become self-sustainable in the world.
“Leadership is a lifestyle, a way of being.” ~Sarah Kale ( SoulPowered.com)
Another example of a woman who is giving back is Bopha Malone. Malone was smuggled out of Cambodia to Thailand. She recalls an abnormal childhood when all she heard was people dying. She moved on from a young scared girl to a woman who is the President of the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association and board member of Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell.
How did she give back?
Malone put her education to work and created an powerful proposal that saw her raise 10, 000 dollars from friends, strangers and acquaintance. This didn’t support a vacation but a year teaching English, Khmer and trade skills to Cambodian children. Yes there was poverty and few opportunities in the Cambodian district where children worked a job for 50 cent and could only attend schools during breaks. What mattered most though to Malone was that these children were happy with her effort. Their yearning was to have her teach them a skill that could increase their income at the end of the day.
“Treat people how they want to be treated, and not how I want to treat them.”
~Bopha Malone
We understand that it can be hard growing and sustaining a business. It could be also tougher if you are woman who has a family to support along the way. Andra Rush who is the chairman of Rush Group – a company that focus on, assembly, manufacturing, logistics and supply chain management – will tell you even after becoming an overseer in Michigan, of one of the largest Native American-owned and woman owned businesses in the U.S. she’s never forgotten the importance of giving back and helping those in need.
During the 2014 State of the Union Speech, President Bush gave kudos to Rush for her community efforts.
“It’s not the destination, it’s the journey… and I am amazed at the phenomenal people I have met along the way.” ~Andra Rush (Chairman of Rush Group)
